Guardiolacan prove his point

Things have come to a strange pass when a win for Real Madrid, courtesy of a goal by the world’s most expensive player, feels like a victory for the underdog.

That’s how good Barcelona have been since Pep Guardiola took over. In nearly three seasons Barcelona have established themselves as the biggest club in the world and won tens of millions of new fans. But these achievements have been earned with relentless hard work and right now we are watching a team that has been pushed beyond its limits.

When Barcelona destroyed Madrid at the Bernabeu last December, it was almost impossible to see how Madrid could ever beat them. The match had more in common with a bullfight than a true sporting event, it was only the semblance of a contest. Barcelona’s toreros were too fast, too nimble, too clever. Not only could Madrid not open them up, they couldn’t even get near the ball. The frustration reduced them to kicks and howls of impotent rage.